The 7 essential Rob Reiner-directed movies
The loss of Rob Reiner has been a beyond tragic one for his family and friends, as well as the millions of fans of his legendary career.
Reiner began in Hollywood as an actor, landing his breakout role on “All in the Family” in 1971, and while he continued to act, he is perhaps best known to many for his work as a director.
He quickly proved himself a hitmaker, a genre-defying master of craft and storytelling that established the tone for so many movies that followed.
Below is a list of the seven most essential Reiner-directed films to watch.
“This is Spinal Tap”
Reiner pulled double duty in this genre-defining mockumentary as both the film’s actual director and acting in the role as the fictional filmmaker within the film, Marty DiBergi. Reiner (and DiBergi) follow the fictional rock group Spinal Tap as they hit the road for an American tour, filled with clashing egos, on stage mishaps, and the routine loss of the band’s drummer.
We had the privilege of speaking with Reiner and the members of Spinal Tap (all in character) earlier this year while they were promoting, "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues."
“Stand By Me”
Adapted from Stephen King’s short story, “The Body,” “Stand By Me” became a quintessential coming-of-age story that has resonated throughout the years, thanks to Reiner’s direction and his incredible young cast, including Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman, and the late River Phoenix.
“The Princess Bride”
A movie just about everyone knows by heart, Reiner infused “The Princess Bride” with an incredible blend of humor and heart, a romance with “kissing parts” that was still filled with adventure and comedy: in short, something for everybody. Reiner’s father, fellow Hollywood icon Carl Reiner, reportedly gave him the book from author William Goldman, and a classic was born.
“When Harry Met Sally”
Reiner set the standard for rom coms with this 1989 classic, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the irresistibly charming leads who we fall in love with year after year as we watch them fall in love (and fake orgasms in a diner). Reiner met his wife Michele Singer while working on the movie and it was their relationship that inspired him to change the ending and have Harry and Sally end up together.
“Misery”
Another Stephen King adaptation, Reiner manages this two-hander between Kathy Bates and James Caan with genuine horror and a twisted sense of humor. Bates won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as the obsessive fan Annie Wilkes, and recently told NBC News after Reiner’s passing, "I’m horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob. He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life."
“A Few Good Men”
One of many mega hits in Reiner’s career, “A Few Good Men” featured an all-star cast with Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, and Kevin Bacon, in a legal drama written by Aaron Sorkin. The movie is famous for Nicholson’s delivery of “You can’t handle the truth!” but the film is so much more, a showcase for Reiner’s dramatic skills as a director.
“The American President”
This political drama also blends in romance, as Michael Douglas’ president falls for a lobbyist played by Annette Bening. Also written by Sorkin, the tone balancing by Reiner is excellent and you really root for the couple at the center of the political mess that is the presidency.
